One of the benefits of having an Android phone is being able todownload appsoutside of the Play Store. However, doing so doesn’t come without a warning from Google about potential malware and other security threats. As of late, the company has made updates to Google Play to bolster security and privacy for device owners. Now, newly spotted flags suggest that the Play Store UI may be revamped for similar reasons.
As spotted by code sleuth AssembleDebug in theGApps Flags & Leaks Telegram channel, flags seem to indicate that Google has developed a new onboarding UI for its Play Store. Leaked screenshots show how users may be prompted to verify their identity and methods of payment for apps within the store. It seems that you’ll be asked to establish these preferred settings to ensure they apply to future downloads. Doing so could reduce the chances of you accidentally downloading apps, some of which could incur charges or contain malware. At the moment, the new UI appears to be in testing, and there’s no indication of when it might officially roll out to all Android device users.
As of late, the company has been making tweaks to seemingly enhance protection for Android users. For example, Google Play Protect isin the process of being updatedto safeguard against malware and other threats on devices with Play Services installed. As a result of these tweaks, your device will be able to scan any downloaded APKs at the code level for security issues, and it will be able to do so in real-time. If your phone has the appropriate settings in place, it can even stop a download in its tracks if malicious software is detected.
Generally speaking, Google has seemingly been spending a lot of time developing new security measures for Android of late. In October 2023, settings fora feature called Android Safe Browsingwere discovered. It appears to notify Android users of threats as they browse the web, and it seems like it will be a part of Google Play Protect. The feature could also leverage the SafetyNet Safe Browsing API, which helps apps determine if Google has categorized a particular URL as a threat. Currently, it’s this API that helps Android users tap into Google’s existing threat detection network.
There is no confirmed timeline on when the new Play Store onboarding UI could roll out, but there are already ways you can bolster security when downloading apps from the store. In your Play Store settings, it’s possible to ensure that all purchases always require authentication. The existing version of Google Play Protect will also scan the apps on your device for malware. As Google looks to make settings more easily accessible, taking these precautionary measures in the meantime can help you keep your data and device safe.
